CREST.BD Identity & Bipolar Disorder Slides

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CREST.BDBipolar Wellness Center Webinars Connect. Learn. Engage.

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Bipolar Wellness Center Webinars Connect. Learn. Engage. CREST.BD

Identity

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Bipolar Wellness Center Webinars Connect. Learn. Engage. CREST.BD CREST.BD

Featuring: Dr. Nasreen KhatriCREST.BD Member,Registered Clinical Psychologist and Researcher at the Rotman Research Institute,Baycrest

Identity

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Defining identityWhy identity is important to your QoL Identity and BDHow you can take action

Webinar focus

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Defining identityEverybody has a unique sense of self, or identity Encompasses all the meaningful roles, relationships, characteristics, values, commitments, behaviours and associations about ourselves Whether or not we live with BD, a solid sense of identity is important for health and QoLAt the same time, as we grow from life experiences, our identities grow with us

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Understand (or interpret) the world through the lenses of our identities How we see ourselves can actually shape who we are


Why is identity important to QoL?

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Emotional turbulence of BD can challenge finding stable sense of self BD can involve dramatic changes in your feelings, thinking and behaviour – strains ability to maintain consistency


Identity and BD

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Identity and BDNegative identity:• In depression, may view yourself in an exaggeratedly negative way, ignoring your gifts and accomplishmentsOverly positive identity: • In hypomania/mania, may view yourself in an exaggeratedly positive way

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Some people with BD describe the onset of BD as a disruption in their life story and identity1 Describe a process whereby they re-evaluate their sense of self1

Disruption may be even more critical when onset of BD occurs in youth, when identity still being discovered and solidified Others, however, report positive changes, seeing their BD as transformative or life-altering1

1Michalak, E., Livingston, J. D., Hole, R., Suto, M., Hale, S., & Haddock, C. (2011). ‘It’s something that I manage but it is not who I am’: Reflections on internalized stigma in individuals with BD. Chronic Illness, 7(3): 209-224.


Identity and BD

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Role engulfmentIdentity becomes entirely based on one aspect of self, or one role you fill, undervaluing or ignoring other aspects and roles2 “I am a parent, a caring friend, I care about the environment, and I live with BD” You have strengths, characteristics, values and goals that go well beyond your BD However, there can be times in your illness, especially when coping with a difficult mood episode, when focusing almost solely on managing your BD can be an effective strategy to regain health and wellness

2Lally, S.J. (1989). “Does being here mean there is something wrong with me?” Schizophrenic Bull, 15: 253-265.

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You can, with practice and commitment, develop insight into who you are versus what aspects of your behaviour come from BDAim: develop a stable, positive identity that keeps you in touch with the full range of your values, abilities and roles, rather than focusing only on limitations placed on you by BD3

3Yanos, P.T., Roe, D., Lysaker, P.H. (2010). The impact of illness identity on recovery from severe mental illness. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 13: 73-93.


How you can take action

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Try to develop a sense of self beyond your illnessMake a list of your characteristics (values, roles, strengths and abilities, interests, priorities, habits, etc.) in two columns1. List those related to BD, e.g.“I suffer from rapidly shifting mood”; or “sometimes I go on impulsive spending binges”2. List those not related to BD, e.g. “I enjoy playing tennis” or “I’m a helpful person” 3. Most of your characteristics are not caused by BD – remind yourself that you are much more than ‘bipolar’. BD can be seen as “something I manage, not who I am”1

1Michalak, E., Livingston, J. D., Hole, R., Suto, M., Hale, S., & Haddock, C. (2011). ‘It’s something that I manage but it is not who I am’: Reflections on internalized stigma in individuals with BD. Chronic Illness, 7(3): 209-224.



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Teach yourself and others to tell the difference between normal changes of emotions and mood episodes• E.g., you can be excited or happy without being manic, sad and frustrated without being depressed • Can be very important to feeling supported and validated by others



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Identify negative self-messages about your BD, e.g.,“having BD means I’m flawed”• They is an example of self-stigma • Cognitive Therapy can help to identify negative thoughts that are unrealistic, unfair or unhelpful, to challenge these thoughts and to replace them with thoughts that are more realistic, fair and helpful4

4Yanos, P.T., Roe, D., Lysaker, P.H. (2011). Narrative enhancement and cognitive therapy: a new group-based treatment for internalized stigma among persons with severe mental illness. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 61: 576-595.



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Instead of approaching your BD as one huge, overwhelming problem, try thinking of it as a series of specific, smaller problems which you can manage using your creativity, problem-solving ability, personal values, skills, strengths and social support network • Remember that friends, family members and healthcare providers can help you with this endeavour



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When exploring your different characteristics, be gentle and accepting with the parts of yourself that you would like to changeBeing critical towards yourself causes unnecessary hardshipBeing kind to yourself can help to give you strength and can even help you make changes for the better



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If you would like to make changes in your life, explore what values are important to youThere is no ‘perfect’ or ‘correct’ set of values: everyone has their own unique values that they consider important• Make a list of the ones that you feel are important• Once you have your list, try making realistic, specific and attainable goals that support each value



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Tools and Resources

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Resources

Living With Bipolar Disorder and Finding Your IdentityAn interesting article written by someone who lives with BD – suggests actions you might follow to take care of your identity and actively define your own life path.

http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/bipolarvida/2013/07/living-with-bipolar-disorder-and-finding-your-identity/

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ResourcesThe Problem With How We Treat Bipolar Disorder, Linda Logan for New York Times Magazine

Personal story about losing and finding self with BD.http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/magazine/the-problem-with-how-we-treat-bipolar-disorder.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

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For more information and resources, visit our Bipolar Wellness Center at:

http://www.bdwellness.com/

To assess your quality of life, visit our QoL tool at:

http://www.bdqol.com/

http://www.bdwellness.com/

http://www.bdqol.com/

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Acknowledgments

CREST.BD Identity & Bipolar Disorder Slides

Education

Transcript of CREST.BD Identity & Bipolar Disorder Slides